THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
95
ways, the Dowitcher or Red-breasted Snipe (Macrorhampus scolopaceus).
and the Bartram's Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), a bird of the grassy-
uplands, rather than the marshland.
Coming to the Land Birds; the Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)
recalls our Great Spotted Woodpecker (Picus maior).
The Night Hawk (Chordeiles virginianus), so similar in appearance
to our Night Jar (Caprimulgus europaeus), has the habit of flying in broad
daylight, even soaring above the buildings in the heart of cities; his down-
ward swoop, culminating in a loud "drone," being very characteristic.
The essentially new world family Icteridae is represented by the Cow-
bird (Molothrus ater), that constant companion to grazing horse or cattle,
and sly shoulderer of family cares on to others more conscientious; the
Brewer's Blackbird (Scolecophagus cyanocephalus), typical of the North
West; and the Red-Winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus fortis), a sure
denizen of every willow and reed bordered slough, whose oft repeated
"Keroncher-reeee-er" denotes from afar the existence of a swamp.
The Tyrannidae, replacing the Palaearctic Musciparidae, are represented
by the Chebee or Least Flycatcher (Epidonax minimus), whose vivacious
actions enliven his woodland haunts, and the Wood Peewee (Myiochanes
virens Richardsoni), who calls plaintively from some dead bough high up
in the glade, where he keeps watch for passing insects.
The group popularly known as Sparrows—of almost as many genera
as species—belonging to the family Fringillidae, is the most successful
of all land birds in point of numbers and distribution, a representative
species inhabiting every type of environment. On the plains are the
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus) and Tree-Spar-
row (Spizella monticola ochracea). In the brush-land we find the Lincoln
Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) and Clay Coloured Sparrow (Spizella pallida),
while in the woods the White-Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
will be seen scratching among the dead leaves, or his clear, ringing song
fills the spaces. The wooded borders of the swamp will harbour the
Chippy Sparrow (Spi ella socialis and the dusty trail attracts the Vesper
Sparrow (Praecetes gramineus confinis), who flits ahead, labelled by his
white outer tail feathers. The Song Sparrow (Melospiza cinerea), in his
20 odd forms, is the most successful and ubiquitous of them all; his cheery
lilt and confiding ways appealing to everyone.
The well-known Prairie Chicken (Pedraecetes phasianellus campestris),
famous for his spring dancing, is found all over the plains and into the
brush country; the Ruffled Grouse (Bonasa umbellus togata) haunts
the dense woodland thickets, whence comes during the spring and sum-
mer the muffled tattoo of his remarkable "drumming."
The busy inquisitive little Chickadee (Penthestes atricapillius) with his
pleasing "Chicka-dee-dee-dee," is a real companion, remaining steadfast
and true all the year round, and coming for his meals of fat or suet, as
often as a supply is forthcoming, in the coldest weather.
Last in this review, but not least, is the Bluebird (Sialis arctica), one
of the first to announce the arrival of spring, his bright colour in vivid con-
trast to the sombre hues of the passing winter, his gentle voice redolent
with faith and hope for the coming season.
Mr. Miller Christy complimented Mr. Hardy on his skill in making